Interview
Gwendlyn Bell
Gwendlyn Bell was born in 1997 in California, USA. Residing and working in California, USA, Gwendlyn Bell draws with mechanical pencils and paints with acrylics, oils, and watercolor to create surreal art with ethereal figures and landscapes. Her subjects are intricately designed with fine detail and her landscapes provoke a wide range of atmospheres. All of Gwendlyn’s works are derived from the subconscious; life experiences of her own and of others. In 2023, she received her Diploma Nail Technician Artist, SSC, California, as well as her Certificate of business fundamentals. In 2021, she received her Certificate of Artistry MUA, TKD, California, USA and in 2015, she completed her Certificate of Art, Ryman Arts, California, USA.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I’m a surreal artist, creating abstract figures decorated in fine detail. My art depicts sorrowful or delighted life experiences; including that of others and raw emotions inspire the core meanings within these figures and their surroundings. I played with the idea of becoming a professional artist as I grew up. During the year, 2017 I decided to dedicate my time and efforts to make this idea a reality. I wanted to increase my knowledge of art, growing my skill, and finding my style. Growth as an artist never ends and one’s style is subject to change as one grows throughout life. My work is twisted towards the dark and sorrowful, but recently shifting towards a calming and gentle visual. Still maintaining my abstract figures in the same fine details. Will I ever venture into other mediums? Behind the drawings online, in my studio awaits brushes and paints. I have started painting a few years back in search for a style on canvas. Once a style is established, I intend on sharing with the public. A new journey into the art world beyond just a pencil.”
What inspires you?
“Inspiration comes from more than just life experience and raw emotions. I will find inspiration from the smallest of textures to large landscapes spilling into the horizon. The cracks and shriveled vines of a fallen autumn leaf, forgotten by the tree or love shown between a father and son as they walk in a flowing green field. Anything can inspire art! It just depends on how we observe.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“The most common themes within my works are variations of love and different depths of pain. Each artwork even if close in theme all have their own story to be told. Connected to a memory; a story. Some, just a feeling. An emotion of love, happiness, sadness, or worse. All unique, but united under a surreal; abstract style within two very different themes.”
How would you describe your work?
“Visually, my work is other worldly. Showcasing figures of different shapes with or without a face. Replaced by masks, odd shapes, or an extension of the body. These humanoids are decorated in patterns with intricate detail creating abstract limbs and a torso. I continually search for new ways to express with patterns and shapes while striving to improve the atmosphere in each artwork with each new piece.”
Which artists influence you most?
“I am inspired by Zdzislaw Beksiński and artists alike. I finds myself allured to the dark and mysterious arts.”
“The most common themes within my works are variations of love and different depths of pain.”
What is your creative process like?
“My creative process begins with an unimaginable amount of sketches on 3.5x5.5 sketch paper. I have and continue to accumulate stacks of these sketches and began gifting or selling stacks to save space in my studio for polished artworks. I keep one stack of sketches to create drawings or paintings with. If a previous idea isn’t used I design my outline with emotional latency or pull from a floating image in my mind. If a sketch is used, the basis of the sketch is used to inspire the outline and patterns. Once the outline of the figure is settled, I go in with or without any ideas for patterns to fill in the body and its surroundings. Even with a plan, I allow my mind to wonder off into the subconscious and let the details flow without thought. Some works are created with no thought at all. Only the subconscious mind and emotions to guide. Once the figure it filled with patterns and its surroundings filled with purpose the artwork is complete.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“A world without artist is a reality I’d be desperate to escape. Artist bring life in creative ways. Without art, this world would feel more bitter than pure cacao and more dry than a spoon full of cinnamon.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“My recent exhibitions include: Fantasies and Fairies, Tehamaarts County Arts Council, Red Bluff, USA (2024); NorCalLove, Tehamaarts county Arts council, Red Bluff USA (2024); 20th Anniversary of the Sundial Bridge, Art Hunger, Redding, USA (2024) and Keeping it 100, Art Hunger, Redding, USA (2024). I have an upcoming event to sell my artwork at the Oddities and Curiosities in San Jose, CA in July in Portland.”
